Posted on: Saturday, August 31, 2002

Waipahu shooting suspect arrested

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

A 28-year-old woman wanted for questioning in connection with an Aug. 21 fatal shooting in Waipahu was arrested last night in Village Park.

Police arrested Totie Nalani Tauala in a Palai Street home at about 7:45 p.m. following a brief standoff. Officers from the Pearl City substation Crime Reduction Unit had determined that Tauala may have been hiding at that home and went there to investigate, police said.

When the officers arrived at about 7 p.m., they found Tauala, but she refused to leave the home. During the standoff, a police officer described as a childhood friend of Tauala's, was able to convince her to give up.

Police said Tauala surrendered without incident about 45 minutes later. Tauala was considered armed and dangerous, but police said no weapons were recovered at the time of her arrest.

Tauala was booked on two outstanding warrants and for a parole violation. She was transferred to the main police station, where she was being held last night without bail.

Although Tauala is a suspect in the Aug. 21 murder of Hayward Julio in Waipahu, she was not arrested on any charges related to that incident. But police said they do want to question her in connection with the case.

Julio, 30, was gunned down on Waipi'o Point Access Road following what police said was a drug related argument with a woman.

Investigators continue to search for Erick Ledford, 38, as a possible witness in the shooting. Ledford, also wanted on a federal warrant for parole violation, was a witness to the argument that led to the shooting, police said.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call homicide Detective Ted Coons at 529-3053 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.